coding, capacity, duration + MSM Flashcards
memory is
the ability to recall events, experiences, information and skills
coding
The format in which the information is stored in the various different memory stores.
capacity
The amount of information that can be held in the memory store.
duration
The length of time the information can be held in memory
research into coding - Baddeley 1966
STM: Group 1 (acoustically similar)- words that sound alike (cat, cab, car)
Group 2 (acoustically dissimilar)- words that sound different (pit, few, cow).
LTM: Group 3 (semantically similar)- words that have similar meanings (great, large, big).
Group 4 (semantically dissimilar)- words that have different meanings (good, hot, huge)
Baddeley 1996 findings
In STM, acoustically similar words were remembered less than acoustically dissimilar words- coding in STM = acoustic
In LTM, semantically similar words were remembered less than semantically dissimilar words- coding in LTM = semantic
limitation of coding - task
Recalling a list of words isn’t something we do day to day. Task isn’t reflective of real life so lacks mundane realism. Lowers understanding of how memory works eg. coding
limitation of coding - lab
Experiment affected by demand characteristics. In memory studies, Ps could be more attentive/try harder. Lowers validity - affects understanding of coding in memory.
strength of coding - lab
High control over EVs. Can establish C+E relationship (coding in STM is acoustic). Also uses standardised procedures eg. same list of words for each group). Can establish reliability.
research into capacity - Jacobs (1987)
‘digit span technique’
researchers would read a set of 4 numbers and Ps would recall them in correct order
this continues with an additional number added to sequence until the P made a mistake
capacity - Jacobs findings
mean average span for digits was 9.3 and for letters was 7.3
- Miller concluded that capacity was 5-9 items - “chunking”
strength of capacity - research is useful
can apply findings to real life. Capacity is 5-9 items. Relates to remembering post codes and phone numbers which are made of letters and digits in unique orders. So we remember things that re significant to us.
limitation of capacity
early research lacked control over EVs despite being conducted in a lab. EVs that could affect Ps performance is that some may have dementia, which affects memory. Also, noise levels and temp. These may have affected performance.
capacity of LTM
The capacity of LTM has been accepted as being unlimited
It is very difficult to study as there is no way to scientifically study the exact capacity of each person’s LTM.
evaluation of capacity of LTM - support
the case of AJ - tells us that capacity of LTM is unlimited, as she is able to remember everything that has happened in her lifetime. AJ is said to have ‘superior autobiographical memory’.
Duration of STM - Peterson + Peterson
tested 24 students
8 trials - given a trigram eg, BVD.
then asked to count backwards in 3s from 50 - mental rehearsal
on each trial they were stopped after different times. Then asked to recall trigram.
As retention interval increases, % of correct answers decreases so STM weakens as time goes on.
STM duration is 18-30 secs.
limitation of duration of STM
People don’t usually remember trigrams in real life- lacks mundane realism as isn’t reflective of real life. Lowers understanding of duration in STM
strength of duration STM
research conducted in lab setting. High control of EVs allowing a C+E relationship to be established between time and effectiveness of STM
HOWEVER, artificial environment lacks ecological validity - results can’t be generalised.
research of duration on LTM - Bahrick et al
studied 392 Americans (17-74 years).
Using high school year books they tested memory recall.
P’s tested in 15 years since graduation were 90% accurate in photo recognition.
P’s tested 48 years after graduation were 70% accurate in photo recognition.
- LTM duration is unlimited
strength of duration LTM
Bahrick et al research more valid as task is something they would do in everyday lives.
high levels of mundane realism.
multi store model of memory
divised by Atkinson + Schiffrin
a representation of how psychologists think memory works
MSM: sensory register
Stimuli from the environment e.g. sight/sound/smell etc. enters the sensory register. Coded in an echoic or iconic form - modality specific.
Material in the sensory register lasts for less than a second but SR has very high capacity.
In order for it to be passed to the STM, the information must be paid ATTENTION to.
MSM: STM
If information is paid attention to, it is passed to the STM.
STM has a limited capacity so can only hold 5-9 items and can be kept for 18-30 secs.
Maintenance rehearsal keeps information in STM.
In order for the information to be passed to our LTM, the information must be REHEARSED.- elaborative rehearsal attaching meaning to the information.
MSM: LTM
If information is rehearsed it will be passed to our LTM.
Capacity & duration are unlimited, so any information passed into LTM has the potential to be remembered forever.
When we need to recall information from our LTM, it is called RETRIEVAL; this is how we remember experiences/skills/information.
However, we don’t retrieve information directly from LTM, it is transferred back into STM first.
